September 13, 2011

“I Could do Anything: if only I knew what it was”

About a month ago I described the book “I Could do Anything: if only I knew what it was” by Barbara Sher. I have always felt lost and unsure about what I should be doing with my life, and it has definitely given me some clarity.

One of the first chapters makes a very good point about how many people feel lost in choosing a career, because their own goals are compared internally to family expectations, as well as a host of other expectations that we create for ourselves growing up. Barbara Sher points out that these combined expectations are often contradictory and impossible to satisfy.

I did not experience any “Eureka” moment, but I can say that I do feel a lot more confident about where I am headed now in my life. It is so refreshing not to be questioning myself day in and day out about why I have not found my passion or goal… what I am “supposed” to be doing. It has always been a huge point of frustration for me, and is nice to feel a little bit calmer about everything- even if my plans do end up changing later on.

Barbara Sher says that taking action – any kind of action – will help propel you in the right direction, because it is a great way of learning what we like/do not like and meeting great contacts.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone like me who feels “stuck” – the title of the book says it all: “I could do anything: if I only I knew what it was.”